Washington column for July 14

Birthday celebration

Susan Huff

Mary Miller Payne smiles as she cuts her birthday cake.

W.L. (Red) Payne, along with Marc Streagle, Beth Conover and son Jason, hosted a birthday celebration Sunday, July 10, for Mary Miller Payne at Red’s and Mary’s home, Locust Shade. Guests included family and friends Elizabeth Streagle, Shannon Streagle, Susan Huff and Roger Flinchum, Sally Haynes and Louie Miller, and Mrs. Payne’s sister-in-law, Sarah Latham, former editor of the Rappahannock News. Mrs. Payne is well-known in the county for her long tenure at Rappahannock National Bank, where she worked 40 years. She retired in 1991 from her responsibilities managing operation of the bank. For 21 years, she was on the board of directors, including during the time of transition from Rappahannock National to Union Bank. Although Mrs. Payne claims to be 85, she looks far too youthful for that to be correct.

Community churches’ picnic

Make plans to attend the Rappahannock Community Picnic being held at Rappahannock County Park’s picnic pavilion on Sunday, July 24, beginning at 4 p.m.. Bring your family and friends to enjoy a time of community fellowship, including activities, games, music and great food. Folks are invited to bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to compliment the great meats cooking up on the barbeque. The event is sponsored by the Association of Rappahannock Clergy. For more information, contact Mary Bailey at 540-987-8944.

A reminder

Vacation Bible School is the week of July 18-22 from 9 to noon at Washington Baptist Church. The theme this year is “Pilgrimage” and the fellowship hall will be decorated as in medieval times. Several churches have come together to host this fun week, and kids of all ages are welcome. There will be a medieval carnival for all on Friday. For more information, call 540-675-3716 or 540-675-3336.

The news from Union Bank

Congratulations to Ashley Allen and Seth Wayland on their engagement. They were on a beach trip to the Outer Banks with family last week and Seth surprised her by having her sister Emily with him when he proposed. They are planning on getting married next April but have not set a date yet.

Seth is a firefighter in Prince William County and Ashley is a financial services advisor for Union Bank & Trust. They met when Ashley’s family moved to Rappahannock in 2009 and the two starting dating in their freshman year of high school, both attending Rappahannock County High School. They will have been dating seven years this August.

Union Bank also has a new face, Nancy Grimes of Etlan. She took Karen Williams’ place as lead teller. Welcome, Nancy! Stop in at the bank and say hello and welcome.

Birthday wishes

Birthday wishes go out to Bobby Brown of Washington. He will celebrates his birthday tomorrow (Friday, July 15). Bobby is a rural carrier for the post office in Washington. Tina, make sure you give him the day off.

Artists’ talk/reception

Gay Street Gallery, 337 Gay St., presents the work of select, award-winning artists from Virginia and around the country. On July 30 from 5 to 6 p.m., the gallery hosts talks by Jane Tolar, on her unique basketry, and Davette Leonard, on her baroque still life paintings. Light refreshments served from 4 to 7.

Sympathy

My deepest sympathy to the family of Dolly Alfred on the passing of her Dolly’s dear husband Lester Dale “Hairy” Alfred Sr., 70, of Reva. Dale passed away on July 7 at his residence. Dale was a member of Gid Brown Bible Baptist Church, Washington, VA. He was a special man who loved his church and his family.

My grandsons would go with me to church some Sundays, where I got to know him as Dale, and the first time, my youngest grandson Luke saw him walk through the door, his eyes got so big and he leaned over and said, “Nana, there’s Santa Claus.” I turned around and saw Dale coming through the door. I had to keep a straight face while he shook my hand. After several Sundays I had to tell him what my grandson had said about him. He laughed and said “he could be his Santa Claus.” He had a long beard, and was an avid hunter. Dale, you will be missed by so many people. A graveside service was held last Sunday at Novum Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. John Burke and Pastor Bruce Beeler officiating.

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